Though following this time Manson was no longer cited as any sort of "Public Enemy", there would still be occurrences in his "Private" life that became the subject of instant debate and speculation. Following the band's evidently contractual obligation to release Lest We Forget: The Best Of in 2004, suddenly Manson's personal life, as opposed to the artistic, became the more publicly discussed, with both his lavish wedding to Dita Von Teese in 2005, and its remarkably swift divorce exactly one year later in 2006 making headlines over his musical or cultural position.

Following this, Manson would sustain a period of quiet until midway through 2007, when it was announced that he would be "returning" to music with the release of what was cited as a more "personal" album, EAT ME, DRINK ME. The album is largely regarded by fans to be a documentation of Manson's personal reactions and commentary on his failed marriage, and his subsequent relationship with the actress Evan Rachel Wood; to whom the album is dedicated. Though listening closer it becomes clear the record is more of a projection of ideas that an internalisation of them. Nonetheless, the album cast a far more "human", perhaps even vulnerable version of Manson, and his interviews and press from this time suggested much the same thing. The period following the album's release also saw the public court case between Manson and (as of 2006) now extradited keyboardist Madonna Wayne Gacy, who did not contribute to EAT ME, DRINK ME.

PART FIVE

Following the album's initial tour leg, fans were treated to the revelatory return of Manson's best friend and former writing partner Twiggy Ramirez, and the dismissal of Tim Skold (who had penned EAT ME, DRINK ME solely with Manson). It was announced that Ramirez would re-assume his position as bassist on the remainder of the tour, and that he would be writing a new record with Manson.

That record emerged in 2009 in the form of The High End Of Low, Manson's seventh full length LP. Earlier in late 2008, the public split of he and Evan Rachel Wood sparked rumours that the album would reflect this incident, but some timeline details regarding the album's creation are incongruous with that notion. Regardless of source, the record capitalised on the more vulnerable Manson of the previous release, yet with a notably enraged fury and disinterest in following the "rules". A slew of questionable public appearances for various press sparked rumours of Manson engaging in extreme substance abuse and various other vices, though besides some poor performances on the initial leg of the tour in support of The High End Of Low, this trend dissipated and the predominant remainder of the tour was in many places heralded by fans as a vicious return to form. During November 2009, a video for the song Running To The Edge Of The World was released on his official website, which depicted the brutal beating and potential death by Manson of a young blonde female. Though clearly a fiction, many opinions were divided as to the intent of the video, considering not only the extreme violence, but also the female actress's close resemblance to Manson's former love, Evan Rachel Wood.

As the major tour closed in December '09, rumours of a new album were made public, and Manson ended his contract with Interscope records after fifteen years. As yet, no definite label plans (if indeed, there are any) have been announced. That month, he also revealed that regardless of reactions and potential intent in the aforementioned music video, he was reunited with lover Evan Rachel Wood after over a year apart.

During the last weeks of December, the long-running court battle between Manson and Stephen Bier (Madonna Wayne Gacy) was laid to rest resulting in Manson paying a sum of money under allegation of breached contract.